Death of the High Priest

It was a most tragic day when king Saul commanded Doeg the Edomite to take up a sword and slay the priests of Nob because the high priest Ahimelech helped David.  When David came and said he was on secret business from the king, there was no reason to question this champion of Israel.  Yet at the command of his king Doeg butchered everyone and every animal in Nob, save Abiathar the son of the high priest who escaped to tell David the awful news.  1 Samuel 22:22-23 reads, "So David said to Abiathar, "I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have caused the death of all the persons of your father's house. ²³ Stay with me; do not fear. For he who seeks my life seeks your life, but with me you shall be safe."

The only gleam of light from this horrible situation was there was one priest who escaped the sword and bloodshed.  Abiathar went on to serve as the high priest of the almighty God David feared and followed.  But as I was reading a portion of the Law of Moses the other day, it occurred to me how this news would have hit different to a small group of Israelites at that time.  In Numbers 35, Moses established 6 cities of refuge throughout Israel, 3 on the west and 3 on the east of the Jordan river, so anyone who killed someone accidentally and without malice could flee from the avenger of blood and be given a fair trial.  If it was determined by the elders and congregation of the city it was indeed an accident and not premeditated murder, the one who shed blood would be permitted to live--with the caveat he was required to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest.

Numbers 35:25-28 says, "So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. ²⁶ But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, ²⁷ and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, ²⁸ because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession."  Think of all the people guilty of manslaughter who were living in cities of refuge when they receive the awful news the high priest Ahimelech had been executed.  Undoubtedly there was great mourning and sorrow over his untimely and unjust death.  At the same time this meant manslayers could legally and safely return to their home, family and friends they had not seen for a long while.  The death of the high priest released them from the requirement to remain in the city of refuge.

Jesus is referred to as our great High Priest, and He died on the cross to atone for sin.  Rather than being in a city of refuge as innocent of murder, we were in a prison guilty as sin awaiting eternal punishment.  There was no escape for us possible from sin and death until Jesus died in our place and rose from the dead.  This is one reason how the crucifixion of Jesus hits differently for those who have been born again through the Gospel, for we have been set free by His sacrifice.  He has freed us from the penalty of our sins because He paid the price to purchase us and redeem us from death so we can live in freedom, serving Him with joy and gladness.  We are called now to find refuge and abide in Jesus Christ who is our life, and He is faithful to guide, provide and help us continually.  Praise the LORD He was willing to die so we could live, to be wounded so we can be healed, broken so all who trust in Him can be made whole.